News/Partnerships
Apple abandons internal AI development, turns to OpenAI and Anthropic for Siri
Apple is abandoning its internal AI development for Siri and instead considering partnerships with OpenAI or Anthropic to power its voice assistant, according to new Bloomberg reporting. This represents a major strategic retreat for one of the world's largest tech companies, which has faced lawsuits from shareholders and customers over unfulfilled promises about AI-powered Siri features in the iPhone 16. What you should know: Apple's AI ambitions have spectacularly failed to materialize, forcing the company to seek outside help for Siri's long-promised upgrade. The iPhone 16, launched in September 2024 for $799, was marketed with promises of "Apple Intelligence" features...
read Jul 2, 2025Oakland University in Michigan leverages 26-megawatt capacity for new AI data center
Oakland University is partnering with a private company to build a new data center on its Michigan campus, leveraging the school's existing 26-megawatt power capacity from an on-campus DTE Energy substation. The project will relocate the university's current data center from its science complex to create space for expanded research facilities and a new artificial intelligence institute. What you should know: The university has received interest from 32 companies for the data center partnership and plans to select a partner by August. The new facility will be built in Parking Lot 35 on the southwest end of campus, adjacent to...
read Jul 2, 2025D.C. pilots AI platform to enhance government-resident dialogue
Washington, D.C., will pilot a new AI-powered tool called deliberation.io during its upcoming AI Public Listening Session on July 15, developed in partnership with MIT's Governance Lab and Stanford's Digital Economy Lab. The pilot represents Mayor Muriel Bowser's latest effort to advance value-driven AI adoption in the district, with plans to scale the technology for broader community engagement if the trial proves successful. What you should know: The deliberation.io tool is designed to facilitate large-scale dialogue between residents and help city officials gather comprehensive feedback on AI initiatives. The July 15 listening session will invite residents to learn about the...
read Jul 1, 2025Microsoft signs 5-year Premier League deal to showcase AI to millions
Microsoft has signed a five-year cloud computing deal with the Premier League, positioning the tech giant to showcase its AI capabilities to millions of soccer fans worldwide. The strategic partnership will migrate the world's most-watched soccer league's core technology infrastructure to Microsoft's Azure platform while integrating AI-powered chatbots across the Premier League's digital properties. What you should know: The comprehensive partnership transforms how the Premier League delivers digital experiences to its global fanbase. The Premier League will migrate its "core technology infrastructure" to Microsoft's Azure cloud-computing service over the five-year term. Microsoft's AI services will power chatbots integrated into the...
read Jun 26, 2025CareerBuilder and Monster lose their jobs to AI
CareerBuilder and Monster's joint venture has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, citing artificial intelligence-driven hiring competition and a corporate hiring slowdown as key factors behind their failed merger. The Apollo Global Management-backed company reported just $2.2 million in cash and secured a $20 million emergency loan to fund asset sales over the coming weeks. What you should know: The bankruptcy represents a significant collapse in the traditional job recruitment industry, highlighting how AI tools have disrupted established players. CareerBuilder and Monster, once dominant forces in online job recruiting, couldn't compete against newer AI-powered hiring platforms that offer more...
read Jun 26, 2025Microsoft-OpenAI partnership crumbles over charge that AGI can’t be reached
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella no longer believes OpenAI can achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI), creating a major rift between the two companies whose partnership launched the current AI boom. The disagreement centers on OpenAI's potential declaration of AGI, which would terminate Microsoft's exclusive access to OpenAI's technology under their current contract—a prospect that has Microsoft demanding new terms while OpenAI considers antitrust action. The big picture: What started as a lucrative partnership that defined the AI era has devolved into a high-stakes contract dispute worth billions, with both companies' futures hanging in the balance. What you should know: The current...
read Jun 26, 2025U jelly? Corporate customers choose ChatGPT over Microsoft Copilot despite $10B+ investment
Microsoft faces an embarrassing competitive dilemma with its AI partner OpenAI, as corporate customers consistently prefer ChatGPT over Microsoft's Copilot assistant despite the tech giant's tens of billions in investment. The preference gap is creating awkward sales situations for Microsoft and highlighting the risks of partnering with a direct competitor in the fast-moving AI market. What you should know: Major corporations are choosing ChatGPT over Copilot even when they've purchased Microsoft's AI assistant for thousands of employees. New York Life Insurance Co., a major U.S. life insurance provider, bought both products to let employees decide which they prefer. Pharmaceutical company...
read Jun 26, 2025Reading Rainbows: Pearson partners with Google Cloud to build AI learning tools for students
Pearson, a British education company, has entered a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to develop AI-powered learning tools for primary and secondary school students. The collaboration aims to create personalized educational experiences that adapt to individual student needs while helping teachers track performance and customize lessons more effectively. What you should know: The partnership focuses on leveraging Google's advanced AI models to transform traditional classroom education from uniform teaching methods to individualized learning paths. Students will receive AI-driven tools that adjust to their specific pace and learning requirements. Teachers will gain enhanced capabilities to monitor student progress and tailor instructional...
read Jun 24, 2025Seattle’s new AI travel assistant speaks 45 languages for global tourists
Visit Seattle has launched Emerald, an AI-powered travel planning tool developed in partnership with GuideGeek technology from Matador Network, a travel media company. The AI assistant provides personalized recommendations and itinerary planning for Seattle visitors, leveraging extensive local data and supporting over 45 languages to enhance accessibility for international travelers. What you should know: Emerald serves as Visit Seattle's digital concierge, trained on comprehensive destination data and enhanced by GuideGeek's award-winning technology platform. The AI tool draws from Visit Seattle's extensive database of landmarks, festivals, restaurants, and hidden gems, plus over 1,000 travel information integrations from GuideGeek. Visitors can access...
read Jun 24, 2025Google to launch 50+ AI satellites for 15-minute wildfire detection
Google has partnered with nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance and satellite manufacturer Muon Space to launch Fire Sat, a constellation of specialized wildfire-tracking satellites that will use AI to detect fires in their earliest stages. The initiative aims to deploy 50+ satellites by 2029, capturing images of fire-prone areas every 15 minutes and processing the data through Google's machine learning systems to distinguish actual fires from false positives like hot roofs or reflected sunlight. What you should know: Fire Sat represents Google's ambitious entry into space-based wildfire monitoring, combining satellite technology with AI processing to transform early fire detection. The first...
read Jun 23, 2025Judge weighs in on OpenAI’s $6.5B Jony Ive partnership and trademark dispute
OpenAI has temporarily removed all mentions of its $6.5 billion partnership with legendary iPhone designer Jony Ive from its website following a federal judge's ruling in favor of a trademark dispute. The legal challenge comes from IYO, an AI hardware startup that claims OpenAI's "io Products" branding infringes on its trademark, forcing the tech giant to halt marketing efforts for the high-profile collaboration until an October hearing. What you should know: U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson ruled that IYO has a strong enough case to proceed, issuing a temporary restraining order against OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and Jony Ive. The...
read Jun 23, 2025Uh-oh, “io”: Trademark fight threatens OpenAI and Jony Ive’s $6.5B AI hardware venture
OpenAI and Jony Ive's highly anticipated AI hardware venture has hit a major legal roadblock after a court order forced the removal of their partnership announcement due to a trademark dispute. The conflict centers on the "io" name for Ive's startup, which another AI company claims infringes on their existing trademark, potentially forcing a costly rebrand of the $6.5 billion collaboration. What happened: OpenAI was forced to remove its blog post announcing the acquisition of Jony Ive's hardware startup "io" following a court order triggered by trademark complaints from a company called iyO. The original blog post detailed a $6.5...
read Jun 20, 2025Maryland partners with Google to offer free AI career certificates to students
The University System of Maryland has partnered with Google to provide free access to Google Career Certificates for students across the state system, including new AI training programs. The initiative aims to boost career readiness and give students a competitive edge in the job market, while positioning Maryland as a leader in emerging technologies under Governor Wes Moore's tech-forward economic vision. What students get: University System of Maryland students will receive free access to Google Career Certificates that typically cost $49 per month after a trial period. The certificates cover cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project...
read Jun 18, 2025Google Cloud partners with WWT to centralize NBA player performance data
Google Cloud has partnered with World Wide Technology (WWT), a technology solutions provider, to develop an AI-powered playbook for an unnamed NBA franchise, aiming to unify previously siloed data on player performance and health. The collaboration addresses the need for better data interoperability in professional sports, enabling coaches, medics, and sports scientists to make more informed decisions about game strategy and player workloads. What you should know: The AI platform centralizes data that was previously scattered across different systems, making it easier for team staff to access comprehensive player insights. Team members including coaches, medics, and sports scientists will gain...
read Jun 18, 2025Tribeca Studios partners with OpenAI for 2026 AI filmmaker program
Tribeca Studios, the film production arm of the renowned Tribeca Festival, has partnered with OpenAI to launch an AI-integrated short film program for the 2026 Tribeca Festival, selecting two filmmakers to create live-action shorts using OpenAI's artificial intelligence tools. The collaboration builds on last year's successful Sora Shorts initiative and positions Tribeca at the forefront of AI-enhanced filmmaking, offering selected participants funding, training, and mentorship alongside access to cutting-edge AI technology. What you should know: The year-long program will culminate with premieres at the 2026 festival, accompanied by discussions about AI's role in filmmaking. Selected filmmakers will receive comprehensive support...
read Jun 17, 2025Scale AI CEO joins Meta to lead new superintelligence unit after $14B deal
Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old CEO and co-founder of Scale AI, is leaving his position to head up a new superintelligence unit at Meta following the company's $14 billion investment in Scale AI. The move represents Meta's aggressive push to catch up in the commercial AI race after being outpaced by competitors like OpenAI and Google, with Wang bringing crucial insights from his role at the data-labeling company that has worked with many of Meta's rivals. Why this matters: Meta has largely watched from the sidelines as other tech giants dominated AI development, particularly after its failed Metaverse gambit during the...
read Jun 17, 2025Oracle adds Grok 3 to cloud platform as part of multi-model AI strategy
Oracle has partnered with Elon Musk's xAI to offer the startup's Grok 3 AI model through Oracle's cloud computing platform for corporate customers. The collaboration allows businesses to access xAI's latest AI model while maintaining their existing security protections with Oracle, expanding Oracle's strategy of providing multiple AI models without developing its own. What you should know: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will host Grok 3 in its data centers, giving enterprise customers access to the model that first launched in February. Grok 3 was designed to compete with the latest offerings from DeepSeek and OpenAI. The model was previously available only...
read Jun 17, 2025Deutsche Telekom and Nvidia to build Europe’s first industrial AI cloud by 2026
Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecommunications company, and Nvidia have announced plans to build what they describe as the world's first industrial AI cloud infrastructure specifically designed for European manufacturers. The ambitious project, expected to launch by 2026, represents a significant step in Europe's effort to establish technological independence in artificial intelligence while addressing growing concerns about data sovereignty. The partnership aims to create what Nvidia founder Jensen Huang calls a "second factory" for manufacturers—one dedicated to generating the artificial intelligence that powers modern industrial operations. This concept reflects a fundamental shift in manufacturing, where companies increasingly rely on AI-driven simulations...
read Jun 17, 2025MIT research reveals safety, consumer cost concerns in automated driving after 10 years of study
MIT's Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of collaboration between academia and industry to advance automotive technology through data-driven research. The consortium has collected hundreds of terabytes of data on driver behavior with sophisticated vehicle features, positioning itself as a global influencer in the automotive industry while addressing critical challenges including consumer trust, safety regulation, and the complexity of automated driving systems. What you should know: The AVT Consortium brings together over 25 member organizations including automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and insurers to study real-world driver interactions with advanced vehicle technologies. The consortium has focused on...
read Jun 16, 2025Perplexity expands publisher program to 100+ media partners with revenue sharing
Perplexity has expanded its Publishers Program to include over 100 media partners, up from the original 10 when it launched about a year ago. The program compensates news outlets and publishers for content used to train AI models and generate responses, addressing growing concerns about fair compensation for content creators in the AI era. What you should know: The program has grown exponentially and now includes major publications like TIME, Der Spiegel, Fortune, and The Texas Tribune. Publishers receive both attribution through citations and direct revenue sharing based on how often their content is referenced in user queries. "We would...
read Jun 13, 2025OpenAI maintains Scale AI partnership despite Meta’s $14.8B investment
OpenAI will continue collaborating with Scale AI despite Meta's $14.8 billion investment for a 49% stake in the data labeling startup. The partnership underscores how major AI companies are prioritizing ecosystem collaboration over exclusivity, even as competitive dynamics intensify through strategic acquisitions. What you should know: Scale AI provides the massive datasets of labeled and curated training data that power sophisticated AI models like ChatGPT. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, agreed to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14.8 billion on Friday, marking one of the largest AI startup investments to date. OpenAI CFO Sarah...
read Jun 13, 2025POVs from the other side: Google DeepMind and Aronofsky’s AI film visualizes the impossible
Darren Aronofsky has unveiled "Ancestra," the first short film from his new partnership with Google DeepMind to create generative AI-powered cinema. The 8-minute film, directed by Eliza McNitt and premiering at the Tribeca Festival, uses AI to visualize previously impossible narratives, including sequences inside a woman's womb inspired by McNitt's own life-threatening birth complications. What you should know: "Ancestra" represents a groundbreaking fusion of traditional filmmaking and generative AI technology, involving over 200 artists and technologists. McNitt trained AI models on her own baby pictures and family photos taken by her late father to generate a newborn infant whose story...
read Jun 13, 2025AstraZeneca signs $5B+ AI drug deal to rebuild China operations
AstraZeneca has signed a research agreement worth more than $5 billion with Chinese drugmaker CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, marking the Anglo-Swedish company's latest effort to rebuild its business in China following recent challenges including the arrest of its China president and potential import fines. The collaboration will focus on AI-driven drug discovery for chronic diseases, positioning AstraZeneca to strengthen its foothold in its second-largest market while leveraging China's growing pharmaceutical research capabilities. What you should know: The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for discovering and developing pre-clinical candidates targeting chronic diseases. AstraZeneca will pay CSPC an upfront fee of $110 million...
read Jun 13, 2025Singapore’s Temasek joins $100B AI infrastructure partnership
Singapore's Temasek has joined the AI Infrastructure Partnership, a major consortium backed by Microsoft, BlackRock, and MGX that aims to invest over $30 billion in AI infrastructure development. The partnership represents one of the world's largest coordinated efforts to build the data centers and energy facilities needed to power AI applications like ChatGPT, with plans to mobilize up to $100 billion including debt financing. What you should know: The AI Infrastructure Partnership has been steadily expanding its roster of major institutional investors since its September launch. Temasek joins after Kuwait Investment Authority became the first non-founder financial anchor investor earlier...
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